Description
Headline details:
3 previous owners
Genuine 37k miles
Original book packs all present
Service book stamped until it ran out of space
Full record of all servicing and maintenance from new
Garaged her whole life
Good condition. Front end is a little scabby under the paint, and I have just started a repair to the NSF wing hence the primer.
Recent work carried out:
Cylinder head skimmed and rebuilt with new valves, guides and stem seals
Gearbox rebuild
New steering rack
Brake master cylinder, wheel cylinders and hoses
New shock absorbers
Carb rebuild
Fuel tank emptied and cleaned - sender unit fixed
New radiator, hoses and water pump
New starter motor
Various electrical workHere is Nancy. A 1972 Mini 850 which was registered on 25th May 1972 in Ipswich to Mr Henry Durrant. He, and Mrs Nancy Durrant, looked after her extremely well until 1999 when the little Mini’s time had been served and was starting to get a little worse for wear. Henry Durrant passed away and Nancy Durrant sold the Mini to a good friend of hers, called Mick. Mick set about cleaning her up, resprayed her the original colour of Bronze Yellow and completed various recommissioning work. He used her sparingly for 9 years until he struggled getting in and out of her.
In 2008, she was sold again to David and Rose Ely, all this time never leaving Suffolk. Amazingly, all 3 owners kept her in a garage away from the elements! Rose, even knew the original owner and had known the car its whole life.
In 2014, she was laid up in the Ely’s garage where she lay dormant until August 2022. Her fourth owner Jack (me), managed to take her on as a project. After some tinkering, she was running smoothly and the trip from Felixstowe to Leigh on Sea started. Initially I drove her out of Felixstowe to Ipswich MINI where I work to show my colleagues, and then began the long drive down the A12. She did very well for a car that had been off the road for so many years, but a split radiator hose on the A130 meant a recovery truck was called.
Now, she’s finally working perfectly again and ready for someone to enjoy her. I have 3 classic Minis, and many other cars so I’m running out of room, otherwise I’d love to keep her.
Nancy is a very special little Mini and she comes with every single invoice, bill and receipt from day one. This all backs up her very low, genuine mileage of 37k. There is an enormous amount of history with this car.
She doesn’t get used throughout the winter due to salty roads, but I routinely start her up and get her up to temperature in the colder months
In summer last year I carried out some repairs to get her on the road. This included brake cylinders, sorting clutch pedal issues, starter motor, tuning the engine, rebuilding the carb and replacing various gaskets.
She’s a great little original time capsule of a Mini. She’s not perfect by any means and no show winner. She’s a turnkey classic. Get in and drive!
Only thing you’ll need to be aware of is a small rust area from the floor to sill on the drivers side. Happy to get it done for the buyer, just think it’s nice to see exactly how the car is first. I have a guy who’s done lots of bodywork on various cars over the years and does an absolutely flawless job!
She's a genuinely charming and wonderful example of what a Mini should be. Certainly not a perfect show winner, but you won't find many others with a complete documented history such as Nancy. I have a folder roughly 3 inches thick of paperwork. Her original service book and owners manual are in perfect condition. There are hundreds of invoices from various work carried out in the 70's/ 80's/ 90's and onwards. I have enjoyed getting her back on the road but sadly its time to find her a new home as I already have 2 more Mini's, and many other cars to fix up.
Thank you for reading. Call me to arrange a viewing on the details below
